Harry L. Englebright Dam

YUBA RIVER· Yuba, California· Built 1941· Arch· 242 ft tall
High Hazard Debris Control Recreation Hydroelectric Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Harry L. Englebright Dam is classified as high hazard in California. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 years old. Its primary use is debris control. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 242 ft (taller than 96.8% in CA)
Dam Length1,142 ft
Dam TypeArch
Max Storage103.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage70.6K acre-ft
Surface Area815 acres
Drainage Area1,100 sq mi
Max Discharge350,000 cfs
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
NID IDCA10105

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 9, 2019
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - Sacramento District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Harry L. Englebright Dam?

Harry L. Englebright Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Harry L. Englebright Dam?

Harry L. Englebright Dam is owned by USACE - Sacramento District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Harry L. Englebright Dam built?

Harry L. Englebright Dam was completed in 1941, making it 85 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Harry L. Englebright Dam?

Harry L. Englebright Dam serves the following purposes: Debris Control, Recreation, Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Harry L. Englebright Dam?

Harry L. Englebright Dam has a dam height of 242 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Harry L. Englebright Dam last inspected?

Harry L. Englebright Dam was last inspected on July 9, 2019. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.